Starting your own business is a massive undertaking. In fact, it is so large of a task that it can be hard to know if you are truly ready. The thought of starting a business can be scary, especially since so many new businesses end up failing. Still, there are some people for whom taking the entrepreneurial road will prove to be the best decision they ever made. Here are the six big signs that you are indeed ready to open your own business.

1. You no longer enjoy your job.

If you still find your current job satisfying, it might be better to stay put. But, if you feel restless, and don't believe your talents are being put to good use, it's likely that now is the time to set out on your own. Ideally, a job should be more than just a paycheck. Starting your own business can be a way to reach a deeper level of personal fulfillment. Creating something on your own is likely to be more satisfying and meaningful than working for somebody else.

2. You're a good leader.

Starting a new business means you'll probably have employees to lead and motivate. Running a new business will undoubtedly test your leadership skills to the limit. As the head of the business, the responsibility for every decision will ultimately rest on your shoulders. That's why it's important to step back and honestly assess your leadership abilities before you begin. If you have done well in positions of authority before, and if colleagues look to you as a leader, you're probably ready to open your own business.

3. You have the necessary skills.

Passion and self-belief alone are not enough to succeed when it comes to a new business. You will need to know your chosen industry inside and out before you decide to go it alone -- especially since there is a huge difference between working in a particular industry and running a business in it. A business owner must be involved in almost every aspect of the business, which requires a far greater range of skills than being an ordinary company employee. While an employee can focus on their particular role, an owner must be versatile and able to wear many different hats.

4. You are financially prepared.

Whether you are seeking outside investment or using your own money, having adequate funds before you start your own business is critical. Starting a new business is almost always expensive. In addition, it can be years before even a successful business turns a profit. This means that in some cases a new business owner must go without a salary until the business itself is on steady footing. Prospective business owners should prepare for this eventuality by setting aside some money to live on in the meantime.

5. You are a hard worker.

No matter what other skills you might possess, you are unlikely to succeed as a business owner if you do not work hard. Long, tough hours are often a requirement for owners, especially when trying to get a new business off the ground. Opening a business requires enormous effort, so you must have the dedication necessary to overcome difficulties and setbacks. A passing enthusiasm will never be enough to sustain you over the long months and years of labor.

6. You can handle risk.

There's no doubt about it: starting a new business is a hazardous endeavor. While there is a chance of tremendous success, there is also a very real possibility of total failure. There is no guarantee you will make it. A business owner must be adaptable, willing to handle whatever is thrown at them. If uncertainty causes you serious stress and anxiety, you may not be suited to running your own business -- entrepreneurship is no place for the risk-averse.

Starting a new business could be one of the best and most rewarding experiences of your life -- if, that is, you are truly ready to make the leap and set out on your own. Since determining if you are really prepared or not can be hard, use the six indicators described in this article to help you make your decision.